The photo was taken outside the Respirator Workshop, the usual location for crew photos at Driffield. Dated as between early September and December 1944, but probably late in the year as two are wearing gloves, and the greenery on the wall behind has died off.

The AWM caption has errors. Uther's uniform has Sergeant's stripes visible, so he was not a Flt Lt at that time. Taken at Brighton, the photo was most likely during his posting to 11 PDRC, after arrival in the UK. After further training at OTU and HCU, he was posted to 462 Squadron Driffield in early September 1944 at the rank of Pilot Officer. There he flew Halifax aircraft. He would have trained in Wellington aircraft at an OTU, but not at 462 Sqdn. By the end of October 1944, he had been promoted to the rank Flying Officer, and by mid-February at Foulsham to the rank of Flight Lieutenant. He was posted from the Squadron in June 1945 at the rank of Flight Lieutenant.

Undated photo of Pilot Donald Grant Uther, 423361 RAAF, but possibly taken after he received his Commission, and promotion to rank of Pilot Officer.

The photo may have been taken in late 1943 or or early 1944, as he was at the Rank of Pilot Officer when posted to 462 Squadron, Driffield, in September 1944.

21 OTU was the Operational Training Unit where they formed a crew of 6, training in Wellington Bombers. Enstone was the satellite station for Moreton-in-Marsh, where many of the 462 Squadron crews trained. Flight Engineer Miles would have joined the crew later, at a Heavy Conversion Unit, during their conversion to Halifax Bombers.

AWM caption is "One circular, and one octagonal stainless steel identity disc on a string necklace. Both of the discs are engraved on the obverse side with '423361 / Uther, D.G. / R.A.A.F. / C of E.'. On the reverse side of both is 'O'.

The AWM Caption is "Bifid blue leather wallet printed on the front with the RAF crest in gold. The wallet contains a printed rectangular white card, being an RAF Officer's drivers identity card which is made out in the name of Flight Lieutenant D G Uther, RAAF. It was valid while the holder was on the strength of RAF Foulsham, in 1945."

The card authorized Uther to "drive a motor car, lorry, motor cycle or other mechanically propelled vehicle on Government duty, while employed on Royal Air Force service". The "RAF Form 1250 No. 1027145" is his "All Ranks Air Force Identity Card" number.

Photo from the Australian War Memorial REL25310

Clothes marking stencil plate for D. G. UTHER 423361, and instructions for use (Donald Grant Uther, 462 Squadron RAAF) (AWM). It was used in 1943, 1944 and 1945.

The AWM Caption is ......
"Copper and tin clothes marking stencil plate, in a white cardboard sleeve. The name cut in the stencil is 'D.G.UTHER / 423361'. The cardboard sleeve is printed with the maker's name 'WILLIAM WHITELEY LTD., STATIONARY DEPARTMENT, QUEENSWAY W2, BAYSWATER, and with instructions for use."

In November 2011, Richard's grandson Ryan Handyside identified Hutton and Handyside in the Gunner's B Flight photo (462 Squadron page), and advised that Richard was then living in Leith, Edinburgh, Scotland, aged 90 in January 2011; and that Hutton had emigrated to New Zealand in 1949.

Letter dated 28 January 1950, from former Rear Gunner Richard Handyside 1825585 RAFVR, to Pilot Donald Grant Uther 423361 RAAF, 1950. Page 1 left, page 2 below left, and page 3 below right. Transcription as follows (page 1) .......
R. Handyside, c/o 6A Grosvenor Street, Edinburgh 12, Scotland.
28.1.50
Dear Don,
I am very sorry at my delay in writing, and thanking you for your very welcome parcels. They are very much appreciated you know, Don.
We are sending you a photo or your namesake Richard Donald, at the age of 3 months, he is just over 5 months old now. What do you think of your namesake.
Have you got your vacant job filled yet, I wouldn't mind coming out, but it would mean leaving everyone here.
I could do with some hard work though as I am almost 13 stone, well 12½.
(page 2)
Madge and I haven't got a house yet and no sign of one yet. We are getting fed-up. I don't [know] how the election will go next month, but I think Labour will be out, but perhaps not of course.
My mother has been ill for over a year with fibrositis & sort of rheumatism, she also has had an operation for appendix, and another for gallstones, but they don't appear to have done her much good.
By the way have you got any of the addresses. Dusty, Geordie, Frank and Cliff. I've lost them all, and I will have to write to them, I'm really ashamed of myself.
I am sending you a snap of the engine I have been firing on for a while
(page 3) as it is called "Commonwealth of Australia".
Wee Richard Donald has just woke up so I had better close, as the place will be in a state of chaos in about 5 minutes.
By the way, young Billy gets married to an English girl on the 18th March 1950.
Madge is asking for you, but as she is busy with the bairn just now, she will add a few lines to the next letter.
All the best Don, from Madge & Dick
Wishing you a very happy and prosperous New Year.

Name: Donald Grant UTHER (known as Don)
Service: Royal Australian Air Force
Service Number: 423361
Date of Birth: 2 September 1915
Place of Birth: Coff's Harbour, NSW
Date of Enlistment: 20 June 1942
Place of Enlistment: Sydney, NSW
Next of Kin: Leonard UTHER
Date of Discharge: 29 September 1945
Rank: Flying Officer **
Posting at Discharge: 462 Squadron
Prisoner of War: No

(** Rank at Discharge (F/O) conflicts with 462 Squadron ORB which records him as Flt Lt from mid-February 1945, to his Posting From the Squadron in June 1945.) Return to top

Navigator

Name: Derrick Edward MILLER (known as Dusty)
Service: Royal Air Force (VR?)
Service Number: 1397845 (allocated from August 1940, from Euston)
Date of Birth: 02 February 1922
Place of Birth: ........
Date of Enlistment: .....
Place of Enlistment: .......
Next of Kin: ........
Date of Discharge: .......
Rank: F/Sgt (when posted from 462 Sqdn)
Posting at Discharge: ......
Prisoner of War: No

Name: J. CUNNINGHAM (known as Geordie)
Service: Royal Air Force (VR?)
Service Number: 1671629 (allocated from November 1941, from Padgate)
Date of Birth: ..........
Place of Birth: ........
Date of Enlistment: .....
Place of Enlistment: .......
Next of Kin: ........
Date of Discharge: .......
Rank: F/Sgt (when posted from 462 Sqdn)
Posting at Discharge: ......
Prisoner of War: No Return to top

Wireless Operator

Name: Clifford Kingsley BARNETT (known as Cliff)
Service: Royal Australian Air Force
Service Number: 432090
Date of Birth: 7 February 1922
Place of Birth: Kempsey, NSW
Date of Enlistment: 5 December 1942
Place of Enlistment: Sydney, NSW
Next of Kin: Albert BARNETT
Date of Discharge: 10 October 1945
Rank: Flying Officer
Posting at Discharge: 462 Squadron
Prisoner of War: No Return to top

Mid Upper Gunner

Name F. T. HUTTON
(known as Frank, but his correct name is not yet known)
Service: Royal Air Force (VR?)
Service Number: 1826421
(allocated from November 1943, from Edinburgh)
Date of Birth: ..........
Place of Birth: ........
Date of Enlistment: .....
Place of Enlistment: .......
Next of Kin: ........
Date of Discharge: .......
Rank: F/Sgt (when posted from 462 Sqdn)
Posting at Discharge: ......
Prisoner of War: No Return to top

Rear Gunner

Name: Richard HANDYSIDE
(known as Dick)
Service: Royal Air Force (VR?)
Service Number: 1825585
(allocated from November 1943, from Edinburgh)
Date of Birth: ..........
Place of Birth: ........
Date of Enlistment: .....
Place of Enlistment: .......
Next of Kin: ........
Date of Discharge: .......
Rank: F/Sgt (when posted from 462 Sqdn)
Posting at Discharge: ......
Prisoner of War: No Return to top

Flight Engineer

Name: Leslie Edward MILES (known as Les)
Service: Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve
Service Number: 1894484 (allocated from January 1943, from Euston)
Date of Birth: 11 December 1924
Marital Status: Single
Next of Kin: William Lewis MILES (father)

Leslie Edward Miles was acting in the role of Special Duties to dispense WINDOW with the Astill Crew in Halifax LL598 Z5-A, which crashed in the UK soon after take-off on the night of 14 January 1945.

Leading up to and as of 6 April 2016, the RAAF Service Files for Uther and Barnett had not yet been digitised at the National Archives of Australia. Similarly the Service Files for the five other RAF/RAFVR crew members were not available. The following information has been sourced from the 462 Squadron Operational Record Books.

September 1944 – Crew of 7 posted to 462 Squadron, 4 Group, RAF Station Driffield, Yorkshire.
Uther at rank of Pilot Officer; Miller, Cunningham, Barnett, Hutton, Handyside, and Miles were at the rank of Sergeants.

16 January 1945 – night Op with substitute Flight Engineer F/Sgt R J Constable; he had previously carried out 17 Ops between 1 September 1944 and 21 December 1944, as Flight Engineer with Crew 15, Pilot Flt Lt Peter Hamilton Finley, 412294 RAAF. Constable, at the rank of Sgt, had been posted to 462 Squadron with the Finley crew in August 1944 from 466 Squadron, but was re-allocated to Uther's crew after Finley was posted from the Squadron in January 1945.
Constable carried out a further 12 Ops with Uther's Crew, up to 8 April 1945.

May 1945 – Cunningham, Miller, Handyside and Hutton were all Posted From the Squadron, destination not listed.
All four were by then at the rank of Flight Sergeant.

June 1945 – Uther and Barnett posted from the Squadron, destination not listed but as the only presumably for repatriation to Australia.
Uther was at the rank of Flight Lieutenant; and Barnett had received his Commission, rank of Pilot Officer.

August 1945 – F/Eng Constable posted from 462 Squadron at the rank of Warrant Officer.

Don Uther took up a soldier settlement block ("Garawaw"), on the Darling Downs at Macalister, west of Brisbane, growing wheat, sorghum and sunflower. He also had a cattle property ("Exobie") about 15 Km from Garawaw. He married Dora Barnett, his Wireless Operator Cliff Barnett's oldest sister. Don & Dora adopted their daughter Alice Jane (known as Jane) in 1954. Don died of cancer in 1979 aged 63. Before his death, his family was able to go through his service photos with him to identify and reminisce, even though he was quite frail and would tire very easily. Dora continued to live at Garawaw and eventually moved to Toowoomba. She died in 1997.
Their daughter Jane married Kent Bannister, and they live in Perth near their children and grandchildren.
Don's RAAF uniforms and log books were donated to the Australian War Memorial where they have been curated and archived. The daily work dress uniforms were particularly valuable as these items were usually worn a work clothes in later civilian life, and therefore very few examples survive.
Don had encouraged former Rear Gunner Dick Handyside to emigrate to Australia, as opportunities post war were more plentiful in Australia than in Scotland. However Dick felt that the move would be too hard for his family, as they would be so isolated from their relations.

More interesting links post war. Jane Uther went to boarding school in NSW with Peter McCallum Paull's daughters. Formerly the Commanding Officer of 462 Squadron at Foulsham, Wing Commander Paull after the war had settled near Bowenville, west of Toowoomba on the Darling Downs, Queensland.
Also known to the Uther family was the Brimblecombe family who had also settled in the Bowenville district after the war. Charles Louis Brimblecombe was the former Navigator in the crew for Pilot Noel Hibberd of 218 Squadron. Noel was the older brother of Maxwell James Hibberd, Rear Gunner, Crew 59, 462 Squadron.
The Hibberd brothers, Peter Paull, and Lou Brimblecombe had all attended Gatton College before the war, with Max and Lou also returning there after the war.

Clifford Kingsley Barnett was discharged from the RAAF on 10 October 1945.

Cliff and his family lived in NSW. He had one daughter Helen. As mentioned in the previous section, Cliff's oldest sister married Pilot Don Uther.
Helen and her cousin Jane Bannister (nee Uther) had a reunion in Sydney in April 2016. The Anzac Day Parade in Sydney was also attended, with two of Jane's photos shown at the end of the photo section.

This crew was one one of the longest serving with 462 Squadron, having been posted to Driffield in early September 1944. The Squadron had only been reformed in August 1944, with the first 14 Crews posted there on 20 August 1944.

9 Sept 1944 – Uther's first Op as Second Pilot for the Pilot Robert Venters Jubb 426609 RAAF and Crew 4.
10 Sept 1944 – Uther's second Op, with his permanent crew members, all on their 1st Op.

Each of the crew flew on at least one additional Op with other Pilots, perhaps to align Op totals with Uther, to finish their 'tour' together as a crew.
Sadly, that was fatal for F/Eng Miles with the Astill crew. On the same night, Barnett was on a catch-up flight with the Marchant crew, and Hutton with the Boyd crew. It must have been a tough situation to lose a fellow crew member on the same Op, particularly as the Astill crew's Halifax caught fire and crashed just 30 minutes after take-off. The other 12 crews would have that weighing heavily on their mind as they continued on to the Target. The Uther crew were back on an Op with their new F/Eng just 2 nights later.

8 April 1945 – Final op for Uther and Crew, flying from Foulsham, and their only "landing away".

There were two Ops from Driffield abandoned by the Master Bomber, and 2 early returns to Foulsham. They would affect the official final tally of Ops, but all are included in the summary table below.

Barnett, Hutton and Handyside, with 40 Ops each, have the honour of the highest number of Ops carried out by any member of any crew in 462 Squadron. Uther, Miller and Cunningham are second in the Squadron with 39 Ops each.
Next highest tally is 38 Ops each for 4 members of the Marchant crew, followed by 37 Ops each for 6 of the Hancock crew.

Name

Position

Ops at
Driffield

Ops at
Foulsham

Total Ops at
462 Squadron

Uther

Pilot

23

16

39

Miller

Nav

22 Uther

16 Uther
1 Cookson

39

Cunningham

B/A

22 Uther

16 Uther
1 Jackson

39

Barnett

W/OP

22 Uther

15 Uther
1 Marchant
1 Cookson
1 Jackson

40

Hutton

MU/AG

22 Uther

16 Uther
1 Boyd
1 Cookson

40

Handyside

R/AG

22 Uther

16 Uther
1 Cookson
1 Hancock

40

Miles

F/Eng 1

22 Uther

1 Astill KIA

23

Constable

F/Eng 2

16 Finley

1 Finley
11 Uther
1 Smith

29

As with most crews, Uther flew in various Halifax aircraft at 462 Squadron, but some more frequently than others.